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Senator Jinggoy Estrada, through then Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, requested for P1 billion worth of projects for inclusion in the 2025 national budget, former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan said Tuesday.
Bonoan made the testimony during the hearing on the petition for bail filed by Estrada with the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division amid a P573-million plunder case leveled against the latter.
"It (list of requests of Estrada for projects) was submitted to me by Usec Bernardo. What was recommended by Usec [Catalina] Cabral is initially P500 million to be included in the NEP," Bonoan said during the cross-examination conducted by Estrada's counsel, Atty. Laurence Arroyo.
NEP is National Expenditure Program, the proposed budget submitted by the Department of Budget and Management to the Congress for approval.
"After the inclusion of P500 million, Usec. Bernardo requested additional P500 million since Senator Estrada is already Senate President Pro Tempore," Bonoan said.
"The good senator is aware [of such request]. They are still asking for additional P500 million for the availment of the [Senate] leadership fund," he added.
Asked by Estrada's lawyer if his conclusion that the list was requested by the senator was based on what Bernardo told him, Bonoan replied in the affirmative.
"He (Estrada) did not personally request [additional amount] to me. This was brought by Usec Bernardo," he said.
He also said the project list did not bear the signature of Estrada.
Bonoan also told the court that the P1 billion is under the Senate leadership fund.
"The Senate leadership fund is an adhoc item. There are no formal written guidelines," he said. —AOL, GMA News